To begin, fill out our intake questionnaire (takes 10 minutes) and a trainer will contact you to schedule a 60-minute initial consultation.
PRIVATE LESSONS
All private lessons include:​
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Fully customized lesson plans to meet the specific needs of your dog and lifestyle
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Instructions on how to continue working with your dog between lessons
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Ability to contact your trainer between lessons
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Behavior reports for your veterinarian, dog walker and pet sitter
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Assistance creating pet resumes
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Referral letters to prospective landlords
​​Before booking, please review our Waiver of Liability and Private Lesson Policies.
BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION
In-person or virtual training
This is our area of training speciality. Leash reactivity, resource guarding, dog-dog aggression, dog-human aggression, and fear of the vet, groomer, objects or noises. Students learn how to identify the cause(s) of these behaviors and how to change them. Learn more
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Recommended for: reactive dogs; fearful dogs who are more than 18 weeks old; dogs who struggle to focus in group classes; owners who prefer 1:1 coaching.
PROBLEM SOLVING
In-person or virtual training
Natural dog behaviors—including barking, chewing, digging and jumping—can be a nuisance. Students learn how to troubleshoot and eliminate these behaviors through training, management, and enrichment. Learn more
Recommended for: dogs who struggle to focus in group classes; owners who prefer 1:1 coaching.
DISTANCE LEARNING
Virtual training only
Online video coaching is available for owners who live outside of our in-person service area and who need assistance teaching basic obedience or eliminating basic unwanted behaviors. This service is also available on a case-by-case basis for owners with dogs who are displaying mild to moderate separation anxiety.
Recommended for: owners with access to reliable internet
PUPPY TRAINING
In-person or virtual training
All new puppy (under 18 weeks) owners have the same three primary goals: housetraining, teaching bite inhibition, and providing frequent and safe exposure to all of the worldly things the puppy will face in its life (socialization). While not as urgent as the three primary tasks, students are also introduced to basic manners and learn how to prevent common behavior issues, such as barking, chewing, whining, separation anxiety and resource guarding.
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Recommended for: owners who are unable to attend group puppy classes; when possible, we strongly recommend that all puppies under 18 weeks of age attend group puppy classes.
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Rusty goes above and beyond EVERY time he meets with us, and I've never been disappointed. He provides a plethora of resources, even outside our training hours via email; from printable PDFs for your fridge, to recommended toys and dog food, to articles on a variety of topics! He will answer any questions you can throw at him.
BASIC MANNERS
In-person or virtual training
Students learn how to teach puppies and adult dogs basic obedience cues such as sit, stay, come, leave it and loose leash walking. Learn more
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Recommended for: dogs who struggle to focus in group classes; dogs who are reactive toward humans or other dogs; owners who prefer 1:1 coaching
SPECIALITY TRAINING
In-person or virtual training
Master the more challenging aspects of training, including volunteering as a therapy dog team, teaching tricks for fun, competing in agility competitions and learning how to track scents. Our trainers are also evaluators for the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test, a certification that can earn you discounts on some renter's insurance policies. Learn more
Recommended for: varies, ask our trainer!
HUSBANDRY TRAINING
In-person or virtual training
Empower your dog to not only accept handling by veterinary and grooming professionals, but to become an active and willing participant during procedures. Cooperative care teaches dogs how to tolerate and decline an unwanted experience, creating a sense of choice and control which reduces their fear that otherwise could lead to aggressive reactions and adverse physiological side effects. Learn more
Recommended for: all puppies and dogs, but specifically those who have reacted aggressively at the vet or groomer, who have frequent medical or grooming needs, who have body handling sensitivities, or are generally fearful
MATCHMAKING
In-person or virtual training
By combining our previous experience in shelter adoption counseling with our current expertise in training, we help owners find the right dog for their unique lifestyle and avoid behavior-related headaches. Students learn the advantages and disadvantages of: adopting a purebred vs. mixed breed dog; a puppy, adolescent, adult, vs. senior dog; and adopting from an open admission shelter, no-kill shelter, rescue group, sanctuary or breeder. Trainers provide support via phone and email and also conduct in-person behavior assessments of potential dogs prior to your signing the adoption paperwork.
Recommended for: Anyone seeking to add a new dog to the family